With October being National Energy Awareness Month and the average U.S. family spending at least $2,000 per year on utilities, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2024’s Most & Least Energy-Efficient States, as well as expert commentary, to see which states save people the most money while also saving the environment.
WalletHub compared the energy efficiency of residents’ homes and automobiles in 48 U.S. states. Due to data limitations, Alaska and Hawaii were excluded from our analysis.
Energy Efficiency in New York (1=Most Energy-Efficient; 24=Avg.)
- Overall rank for New York: 2nd
- 8th – Home Energy Efficiency
- 28th – Vehicle-Fuel Efficiency
- 1st – Transportation Efficiency
Expert Commentary
What energy-efficient products for the home offer the best return on investment?
“Focus on the big energy users – air conditioning and heating. Replacing a well-functioning ‘good’ with an ‘efficient’ system is probably not going to pay you back very quickly, but when it is time to replace an old system, it is worth spending the extra money on an energy-efficient model. Same for clothes dryers, washers, and fridges. Among the best payback investments are simple interventions like rim joist insulation in the basement, or attic insulation. That is where cold drafty air enters your house in the winter, or hot air in the summer. Not the type of new device to impress your neighbors, but financially among the most attractive energy-efficiency investments.”
Arthur van Benthem – Associate Professor, The University of Pennsylvania
“There are numerous energy-efficient technologies that are highly cost-effective today, even more so given the major government rebates and tax credits offered under the Inflation Reduction Act. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rebates Program is available for low- and middle-income taxpayers and will be administered by state agencies. These include large rebates for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electrical panels, electrical wiring, and insulation, air sealing, and mechanical ventilation products. The IRS also offers generous tax credits for more efficient air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and water heaters, and for a variety of Energy Star building envelope components.”
Barry D. Solomon, Ph.D. – Professor Emeritus, Michigan Technological University
What is the biggest mistake consumers make when trying to make their homes more energy efficient?
“Often consumers focus on big items and neglect the simple ones, such as weatherization to prevent airflow. Another mistake is to try to do it all yourself rather than getting an inexpensive home energy audit that can guide the decisions of which investments to make to cater them entirely to the home.”
Kenneth Gillingham – Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; Professor, Yale University
“Many people focus on expensive projects that save very little energy. For example, replacing windows is very costly (think about how many you have in your house!), and the impact on energy bills is negligible. Sometimes a simpler solution, like adding a door in your drafty hallway area, is cheaper and more effective.”
Arthur van Benthem – Associate Professor, The University of Pennsylvania
What are some tips for consumers to become more energy efficient, especially if they work from home?
“Hiring someone to perform a home energy audit is a great way to start. The local utility company may be able to help. Other ideas include: turn off lights when not in use, upgrade to LED lightbulbs, don’t run the dishwasher or washing machine with less than full loads, wash clothes in cold water when possible, caulk and weatherstrip gaps and cracks around doors and windows, install a programmable thermostat, perform periodic maintenance on air conditioning units (e.g., clean or replace filters and vents), and adjust the temperature on air conditioners, thermostats and water heaters so you do not overcool or overheat more than necessary.”
Barry D. Solomon, Ph.D. – Professor Emeritus, Michigan Technological University
“Remember that you do not need a home temperature of 72 degrees all year if you change what you wear at home. 68 is perfectly fine with a comfortable sweater; and so is 76 with light summer clothing. This will save you a lot of money.”
Arthur van Benthem – Associate Professor, The University of Pennsylvania